Considered slow, ASEAN is urged to strengthen decision-making

Consensus or consensus mechanisms are considered too slow to make decisions, even though problems in ASEAN are very dynamic.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI.

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KOMPAS/LARASWATI ARIADNE ANWAR

International relations expert from the National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas), Edy Prasetyono, explained the importance of ASEAN's position in discussions regarding the development of the United States' security alliance in the Indo-Pacific. The event was held by The Habibie Centre in a hybrid format in Jakarta on Tuesday (22/8/2023).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS - Reaffirming the position of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN in the Indo-Pacific means having to be bold in changing a number of institutional approaches. ASEAN's internal behavior is used as a benchmark by other parties, including superpowers, to gauge ASEAN's seriousness in the region.

The biggest obstacle within ASEAN lies within itself. This was discussed in a discussion about ASEAN and the increasing security alliance of the United States (US) in the Indo-Pacific region. The event was held by The Habibie Centre in Jakarta on Tuesday (22/8/2023).

Also read: ASEAN Becomes the Center of Attention for the Anti-China and North Korea Alliance

"The ASEAN must return to its essence that the organization was created to prevent and manage conflicts, not just about economic growth," said Edy Prasetyono, Executive Director of the ASEAN Study Centre at the University of Indonesia and an expert in international relations at the National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas)."

He explained that economic cooperation can still continue between two countries or conflicting parties. However, conflicts must be managed properly so as not to escalate into open warfare. ASEAN was formed to manage various competitions so that they do not turn into open clashes.

The way to manage conflicts and maintain ASEAN's credibility is by strengthening the decision-making mechanisms. Currently, ASEAN applies a system of consensus which means all members must agree. This makes decision-making very lengthy, sometimes taking months. Other countries and even institutions within ASEAN often complain about this timeline.

Besides pure consensus, according to Edy, there are several options for decision-making. Firstly, the method of 50 percent plus one. Secondly, a weighting mechanism based on the issues being discussed. For example, in the case of the South China Sea dispute, the voting power of Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines, who are directly involved in the issue, carries more weight than ASEAN members who have no connection to the South China Sea.

Read also: Ideally China and US Refer

KOMPAS/LARASWATI ARIADNE ANWAR

International relations expert from the University of the Philippines (UP Diliman), Richard Heydarian, explained the Philippines' foreign policy online from Manila in a discussion on ASEAN regarding the United States' security alliance in the Indo-Pacific region. The event was held by The Habibie Centre in Jakarta on Tuesday, August 22, 2023.

Third, qualified majority vote. For example, a decision is considered valid if two-thirds of the members agree and two-thirds of them represent the ASEAN population. Fourth, by setting a formula for the minimum number of members who oppose a decision. "These options are taken according to the issue being discussed, so not all of them have to rely on consensus," said Edy.

The LCS issue for the Philippines is a very sensitive matter and is too protracted. University of the Philippines (UP) international relations expert, Richard Heydarian, said the Philippines had proposed the creation of a code of conduct (COC) for LCS since the 1980s and until now it has not been completed. Various geopolitical developments have forced the Philippines to be realistic, including getting closer to the US as an ally.

Also read: Indonesia and Other Southeast Asian Countries Need Healthy US-China

There is a possibility of a new defense pact emerging in the Indo-Pacific, called JAPHUS, consisting of Japan, the Philippines, and the US. "The Philippines actually does not want to be drawn into geopolitical competition, but the situation in our country does not allow the Philippines to remain neutral and impartial," said Heydarian.

Filipino President Ferdinand Marcos Jr is attempting to approach China. However, it turns out that for Manila, Beijing is only making promises. In addition to not seriously discussing the resolution of the South China Sea dispute, China also did not fulfill its promise to provide a $24 billion US investment. From this experience, Marcos is approaching Japan and the US.

KOMPAS/LARASWATI ARIADNE ANWAR

Vice Rector of Defense University Major General Rodon Pedrason spoke in a discussion regarding ASEAN on the United States' security alliance in the Indo-Pacific. The event was held by The Habibie Centre in Jakarta on Tuesday (22/8/2023).

This proximity to the United States has reactivated the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) that was previously signed by US President Barack Obama and Philippine President Benigno Aquino III in 2014. The EDCA had been inactive during the Rodrigo Duterte administration, which aimed to reduce dependence on the United States.

"For the Filipino government, EDCA is important for contingencies in case of an open conflict in the Taiwan Strait. The Philippines' dispute with China is not only in the South China Sea, but also in the Philippine Sea to the west. So we are in two hot spots," said Heydarian."

Read also: ASEAN Summit to Advance the Acceleration of Organizational Decision-Making Process

Vice Rector of Defense University Major General Rodon Pedroson stated that if the Philippines and ASEAN cannot manage the defense pact properly, there will be a division within ASEAN. The Philippines, a close neighbor of Indonesia and one of the founding members of ASEAN, risks becoming a battleground if dragged into the conflict between the US and China.